Pirates of the Caribbean 6 doesn’t technically need Johnny Depp to return as Captain Jack Sparrow, and these two other Disney franchises prove it. Originally confirmed in 2018, following the fifth film in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has had many updates over the years. From writers dropping out, to rumors of a reboot, the sequel has been in, what appears to be, development hell for nearly eight years, leaving many wondering why Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is taking so long. With no official release date or casting announcements, the movie still largely remains a mystery.

One of the main topics of debate about the sixth Pirates film is Johnny Depp’s involvement. Depp was reportedly dropped from the franchise, causing him in turn to reject the idea of returning (via EW). Captain Jack is arguably the most treasured character in Pirates of the Caribbean, having appeared in every film so far, so it’s hard to imagine the movie without him. However, with no official confirmation of Depp’s return, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 may need to find a way to work without Sparrow as the lead character. Luckily, Disney has done it before.

Disney Brought Back The Alien & Predator Franchises (Without Legacy Characters)

Alien & Predator Introduced New Characters After Disney’s Acquisition

Pirates of the Caribbean could look to other now-Disney franchises for inspiration regarding the future of their movies without Depp. Since Disney acquired the Alien and Predator franchises in 2019, there have been two movies released under the new company: Alien: Romulus and Prey. Both movies were successes at the box office and on streaming platforms. This was impressive given that Romulus and Prey mostly comprised entirely new casts and settings, acting soft franchise reboots, instead of featuring the “legacy” Predator and Alien characters that have appeared in multiple movies.

Recurring characters, such as Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, and repeated locations are just some of the things that happen in every Alien movie, which is why Romulus’ success was such a surprise, considering it broke that tradition. In contrast, the Predator movies have always been somewhat episodic, with each film almost acting as a standalone, yet the franchise is still a major hit. Alien: Romulus and Prey are fantastic examples for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 as they show how a Disney franchise can work without its legacy characters, even if it previously had one in Captain Jack Sparrow.

What Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Without Jack Sparrow Would Look Like

Pirates Of The Caribbean Could Benefit From A Soft Reboot

Regardless of opinions about whether Depp should return, there are plenty of ideas about what the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise could look like without Jack Sparrow. The most obvious solution to Depp’s absence is to find a good replacement for Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Some have suggested that the focus be turned to Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) as an alternate lead, considering his history with Jack, his time as the Captain of the Flying Dutchman, and the eerie nightmare sequence teasing Davy Jones’ (Bill Nighy) return in the post-credits scene of ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales.

Alternatively, Pirates 6 could center on a younger lead by continuing the story of Will and Elizabeth’s (Keira Knightley) son, Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), who made his debut in the last movie. However, the best idea might be to forget previous characters altogether, minus unintrusive cameos from minor characters like Gibbs (Kevin McNally). Instead, Pirates of the Caribbean could abandon Captain Jack Sparrow’s potential return to focus on a new character’s story in the same universe, as a soft reboot of the franchise. Yet, this will only work with the perfect casting for the lead role.

There Is A Difference Between Pirates Of The Caribbean And Disney’s Other Returning Franchises

Jack Sparrow Is In Every Pirates Movie, Tying His Character To The Franchise

Despite the franchises all functioning under Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean features a major difference from Alien: Romulus and Prey. For one, Depp has been in every Pirates of the Caribbean movie since it began in 2003, and Captain Jack Sparrow acts as the face of the franchise, whereas both the Alien and Predator movies have changed cast in every film. This is important as Sparrow’s iconic looks and personality make him a hit among audiences, leading to the franchise grossing $4.5 billion worldwide, and earning both Pirates of the Caribbean and Johnny Depp an unforgettable legacy.

However, although Depp is deeply ingrained in the franchise, Jack Sparrow does play a somewhat supporting role in Pirates of the Caribbean. The Pirates franchise’s focus was always shared with Elizabeth, and when Sparrow dies in the sequel, he is actually missing for half of At World’s End. Therefore, Pirates of the Caribbean has technically already made movies “without” Jack Sparrow. Considering Sparrow’s story has reached a definitive end (multiple times), it is time for Pirates of the Caribbean to move on, mirroring changing the focus from Ripley in Alien and leaving Captain Jack Sparrow’s legacy on a high note.

Source: Entertainment Weekly, comicbook.com